Then, Kate told him his mother had gone to his grand Pa's compound. Prieto asked her; for how long". She said not long ago! Prieto knew his mother wasn't aware of his presence, since he had arrived from the stream checking out things in his bag. It because he didn't make any sort of sound when he arrived. Prieto went back into the house and sat in the parlour. He had always acted skeptical, about going to his relatives place. His grand father's place is just some few steps away, from the house they reside. Nevertheless, Prieto still chooses to stay indoors, without going there to see his mother. He decided to await for her to return home.
Prieto sat on the cushion sit in the parlour, still ruminating on the matters arising while expecting his mother's arrival. He deeped his hand into his pocket and brought out the paper, he wrote the address location to Jos. He brought the paper out, with the #2k naira cash inside his pocket. He separated the paper from the money, and put back the money into his pocket. Holding the paper to his face while on sit, looking at the address he wrote on it word for words. He kept reading it with whispers, repeatedly till he fell asleep on the chair he sat.
While he was knocked into the peaceful world of slumber, the paper was still in his hands. Stretching out his both arms, on the wooden hands of the chair. His two legs were position outwardly as he relax, stretching them forward, for his back to come laying fittedly on the cushion. The comfort he derived balancing on the chair, made him to sleep off.
The sound of his mother's arrival woke him up. She came in speaking on top of her voice "my son? Prieto! why are you fast asleep on the chair?", didn't you sleep yesterday night?", It not even 12clk pm yet. "I thought you were still at the river", his mother said. "I have been around since; Prieto replied. Infact I saw you at the backyard when I came in. It's just that my mind was preoccupied, with my traveling palava to Jos tomorrow. So when I came in, I was busy looking through the NYSC papers documents that I kept, in the bag inside the room. "I was trying to note the address location, on the papers against tomorrow. He held out the piece of paper to his mother. His mother open the folded paper to see what was written in it. " Kungi", Na wao! Kungi", where is Kungi in Jos?". I don't think I have heard about such place before. " At the government farm area, yankari", Jos. Is this the stated address? He's mother asked. Prieto said; as you can see mother, that is the address. She held back the paper to him, but Prieto insisted that he need her to have it kept, for reference purpose. He told his mother he needs her to hold the paper for emergency reason, just incase; to know where to look for him, if the tides of things change. His mother snapped. Enhn! enhn! Nothing will happen to you in Jesus name. God will accompany you to your destination and nothing evil will come near you throughout your service period, till you are back. "I prayed for you and I will keep praying for you".
Letting out the paper frightened his mother. Inspite of the odds thought, that spur out of his mother's mind while rendering the paper, Prieto still believes his mother should have the contact address, of where he is heading to. Prieto answered his mother, "mummy nothing will happen to me". I just needed you to have the copy to that address location. No harm will befall me! Prieto cleared her mind on that ground.
"Are you set to eat your breakfast?", his mother asked him. He replied; yes. Prieto sat up with his back well position on the sit, expecting his mother's cooked food to land on the table. She came in with yam and beans, Prieto could perceive the aroma as she brought the bowl of food covered in the tray. As his mother placed the portion on the table, Prieto swiftly opened the lid cover. The steam from the uncovered food, escaped into the air. The portion was well garnish with sliced pepper, the red palmed oil soaked' richly in it prepared State. A spoon was placed in the tray beside the bowl of food, Prieto picked it up and started using it to dig and mix together the yam and beans. The red oil swerve into looping holes of the food portion. He scooped a spoon into his mouth, he knoded seriously! this is lovely; "mummy welldone", he said to her.
Nnekwu came in, " good morning sir". Prieto replied how are you?" Fine! Neku said. "But where do you always go to when you leave the house?" Prieto question. His junior brother stammered! I I I have always been around, only that I go to visit my friends; Neku replies. Okay! but "do you sleep there?", am asking because I barely see your face around the house this days. " Neku said no". Anyway, I will be traveling to Jos for my NYSC orientation camp tommorow, Prieto dipped his hands into his pocket and brought out the #2,000 naira cash. He gave it to Neku. His brother thanked him.
Prieto knew his brother needed the money, that is why he had to find a way to set aside the little cash for him. Nevertheless, Neku was lucky to have come home at that tint. Prieto's mother told Neku to greet his senior brother; thank you sir. He did. He greeted Prieto infront of his mother knowing, he was too very much junior to him. Prieto already took the boy as his brother, even though they came from different father. Prieto looked at Neku and felt a soft spot for him. His mother called the boy to come and have his food.